BY MARTHA KOMBE
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an urgent challenge across the country and the globe. It’s a problem that affects all levels of society, from the poorest to the wealthiest, but many of us don’t know how to address it.
We all have a stake in addressing this issue, regardless of our situation.
It’s important to understand that intimate partner violence isn’t just about physical abuse; it can also include verbal, emotional, financial abuse, and sexual assault. These acts are often done by people we trust (intimate), such as our partners and friends, and they can happen frequently over time or even just once or twice.
Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about IPV in Kenya, such as the belief that IPV occurs only between married couples or same-sex partners. The truth is that IPV can occur in any type of relationship: heterosexual, homosexual, long-term, or short-term.
And while IPV can occur between friends or family members as well as romantic partners, it’s still considered an issue because it affects the health and well-being of survivors, who may not have anyone else available to help them cope with their situation.
It is sad to admit that we still live in a society that encourages intimate partner violence. Why do seemingly happy people hurt their loved ones?
Before we understand how we can eliminate intimate partner violence in Kenya and our societies, it is important for us to first understand the source of this problem, why do people who are healthy and happy end up hurting others?
Is violence indoctrinated? Were perpetrators taught that violence is okay if no one gets hurt too badly? And because we’ve normalized violence in our society, it is easy for us to forget that this is not okay.
The most common mistake people make when they come across this issue is that they think it only happens between specific people and this is what makes it so dangerous as it has no boundaries, it can be done by anyone.
The community is starting to feel the devastating effects of IPV, especially given the link between early exposure to it and its perpetration in adulthood, making this a never-ending chain of violence
We are a country with a high population density and high unemployment, and unresolved mental health issues. We have a culture that is built on traditions and values that are steeped in patriarchy. This culture has resulted in the rise of violence against women and children because, unfortunately, many men feel entitled to their spouses, thus causing them to become abusive towards their partners.
The WHO reports that intimate partner violence affects over one billion people globally. In Kenya, intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of death for women aged 15-44 years old. It has also been found that intimate partner violence occurs in all cultures and ethnicities, with the highest prevalence among women from low-income groups.
In the past few years, intimate partner violence has become a topic of focus in Kenya. This is because it is not only a cultural problem but also a growing concern for all Kenyans.
The source of this problem lies in the absence of a proper understanding of what constitutes IPV, it is now time we started rethinking what is causing this problem in our society, instead of reacting after someone has been hurt, or how many times they’ve been hurt, we can prevent the numerous silent deaths.
